Abstract:
From the results of a series of metabolism studies on sheep with open
rumen fistulae in which a basal ration of winter grazing was supplemented
with meatmeal and increasing amounts of crushed maize it was found
that:
(1) Small amounts of meatmeal and supplements of maize ranging
from 50 grams to approximately 150 grams per day favoured the growth of
the rumen organisms. Heavier supplements of maize, on the other hand,
tended to reduce the number of organisms in the rumen.
(2) The increase in the bacterial count did not improve the digestibility
of the cellulose in the winter grazing. A progressive depression in
its digestibility with increasing supplements of maize was, however,
observed.
(3) The rectification of the existing protein deficiency in winter grazing
with a minimum quantity of protein is futile unless its energy deficiency
is simultaneously satisfied.
